By Mike Hammons
Special to NKyTribune
Northern Kentucky is indebted to Eva G. Farris.
Who is Eva G. Farris?
People in Northern Kentucky will be asking that question for generations to come; and why?
Because Eva Farris and her husband, Oakley B. Farris moved here 65 years ago and made it their business to help others, especially young people, meet and exceed their fullest potential.
December 5 is a big day in the life of Eva Farris. It’s her birthday and it’s a good time to stop and consider all that she means to us and all that she has made happen here.
Her life began in Havana, Cuba 90+ years ago where she grew up and attended Catholic grade school and high school. She went on to the University of Havana and received her Master’s degree in commerce. She then enrolled at Columbia University in New York City.
During one of her trips from Columbia to Havana, she stopped in Miami, Florida during a terrible hurricane and there her life changed forever. She met a gregarious young man from Eastern Kentucky whose big smile she just could not resist. His name is Oakley Farris.
After two years of telephone calls and letters, they were married in New York City and then moved to Covington to start their new life together.
From the very beginning and even until the present day, she inspired her Kentucky husband with the confidence that he could do anything that he set his mind to. Nothing was impossible. It’s phenomenal how the brain works – how one person (Eva) can channel her thoughts, aspirations and vision onto another person’s (Oakley’s) psyche.
They worked closely together in business and invested wisely particularly in their Covington community. Their investments grew and paid tremendous dividends over time allowing them to supplement Eva’s long standing and remarkable community and charitable work with strategic cash investments. The payoff is everywhere you look in Northern Kentucky:
Northern Kentucky University
Eva G. Farris scholarships allowed 830 students to attend the College of Business
Eva G. Farris scholarships for students attending the College of Informatics
Enhancement of campus funded and named for Eva G. Farris:
Commons in the College of Informatics
Reading room in the Steely Library
Special Collections
Young Lincoln statue in front of the Chase Law School
Amphitheater named also for Oakley Farris
Auditorium in Math, Education and Psychology Center
City of Covington
5 large bronze statues honoring:
General Leonard Covington at Latin School
Frank Duveneck at Duveneck Flats
Young Lincoln at the Covington Branch of the Kenton County Public Library
Andrew Carnegie in front of The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center
Korean War Memorial at Linden Grove Cemetery featuring Clofus Farris, Eva’s brother-in-law who died in the Korean War and received the Silver Star, Bronze Battle Star and two Purple Hearts
Holy Cross High School Sports Complex
Holmes High School
Two Legacy Floodwall murals:
The Pontoon Bridge in the Civil War, gift to the City of Covington
Covington Religious Heritage donated by Oakley Farris in honor of his parents
Covington 200 sponsor and helped finance video
Land for parking garage across from the Covington Branch of the Kenton County Public Library
Behringer Crawford Museum:
Perpetual grant which generates $8,500/year
Mary Bruce Sharon Collection of paintings
Eva G. Transportation Gallery
St. Elizabeth Medical Center
Healing Garden in the Heart and Vascular Institute
Hospice
Same Day Surgi-Center
Charitable Remainder Trust
Thomas More College
Eva G. Farris Library Art Gallery Scholarships
Support for Mary Seat of Wisdom Chapel
Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center
Heritage Gardens
Charitable Remainder Trust
The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts
Eva G. Farris Educational Building
15 year trust to support education outreach
Front pavilion
Statue of Andrew Carnegie
Gateway Community and Technical College
Eva G. Farris Early Learning Center
Covington Latin School
Eva G. Farris Science Building
Kentucky Educational Television (KET)
Major funding for “Where the River Bends”, a video history of Northern Kentucky
Major funding for “Civil War” by Ken Burns
Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky major sponsor
These many, extraordinary contributions are a powerful testament to a man and a woman who loved each other more than life itself and whose love produced a generous spirit that has transformed our community.
If you’ve been touched by them — the whole community has in some way — show them your gratitude by making a charitable contribution in their name and tell them thanks when you see them.
Happy Birthday, Eva!
Mike Hammons is director of advocacy for Children Inc., a life-long Northern Kentuckian and former executive director of Forward Quest and of the Kentucky Philanthropy Initiative. He lives in Park Hills.